For Heather, 29, every day is a struggle. The native of rural Kentucky didn’t know how drastically her life would change after she fell in love and married Evaristo Suarez, an illegal immigrant.

The couple assumed that Evaristo, 30, would be eligible for a green card once they got married and that they would raise their family near her hometown. But because he had crossed into the United States illegally more than once, he was denied a visa and must wait 10 years before reapplying to return legally.

Please leave some non-offensive comments when you are done reading as well.

My name is Renee, I’m 30, I married my husband who was an illegal immigrant from Guatemala in 2006. We had our daughter on February 14th, 2007. We went through the immigration process. My husband was called to the U.S Embassy in April 2008. The meeting went fine. He was then told to remain in Guatemala for about 6 months until he was called. I went back to the states with our daughter to maintain my job. We were apart and it was so hard for our family but i kept thinking this is all worth it because we will be together soon. My husband recieved a call on September 10th that our WAIVER had been approved! We were so happy he was finally coming home! I flew back to Guatemala with our daughter to attend the Embassy with him. Then on September 29th we went and our life was destroyed. The immigration officer questioned my husband about a voluntary departure he had in 2001. My husband admitted to it as he wanted to be honest and explain. Then the officer decided he no longer was elgible to enter the U.S and barred him for 10 years under section 212a9ci. We were in complete shock. We made it to the last step of this process and BAM it was all went sour. The tradgedy and hardship we are experiencing is tremendous. Our family has been split apart, all because we wanted to do the right thing and be honest. How unfair this is to our family and other families who have to go through this. These stories need to be told and their needs to be reform with this law. We are good people who want to together as a family. To tear a family apart like this is unacceptable.

I am very sorry to hear about this. I have heard and seen situations like this all too many times. However, If I had known about this situation before you even got into it, I would have taken the time out to warn both of you. Section 212a9ci is a very unforgiving section of the law, and it makes it very clear that someone who overstayes their voluntary departure time (or is declared “deported in absentia” for not appearing before the Immigration Judge) gets the 10 year bar with no possibility for a waiver. There is no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. Had your husband just been a regular undocumented immigrant with no previous deportation or voluntary departure issues, in all likelihood would have qualified for the i-212 waiver and would have been back in the USA within a year. I hate the fact that they originally said they “approved” your case, and then they decide that your case is not approvable. You should have just married Evaristo but not file any papers on him for the moment, because it was very clear that he would not be eligible for a hardship waiver (i-601 or i-212). President Obama has recently made statements that he wants to do something about this 10 year bar that has messed up the lives of so many people, but at the moment, the Pres. hasn’t done anything about it. Yes, it is unfair, and I do agree, these stories need to be heard, but it’s not in the best interest of the Government that these stories be heard, because it’s very clear that section 212a9ci is unconstitutional. The US Governement (Judicial branch) is in charge of reviewing the laws and discerning if a law goes against the Constituion. Since right now the US is going through so many economic problems, they use this as an excuse as to why they cannot address Immigration issues right now. It’s just not an important issue for them to address. I’m sorry to say you will just have to find a way to visit your husband in Guatemala and do the best you can. Please encourage him to have a good attitude. Guatemala is a beautiful country (my in laws are all there) and even though it’s a poor country, Guatemalans have a good attitude and do what they can to work and earn a little money so that they can eat. It’s all about attitude. Please DO NOT ENCOURAGE your husband to re-enter the USA illally. This will put him at great risk, plus it’s illegal, and you have enough going on now; don’t make it worse.

I’m very sorry to hear this, my husband is actually in Guatemala right now and waiting for his waiver to get approve, weve only been a month in half separated and already I’m going crazy, so I can’t imagine your situation right now. Please stay positive, don’t lose hope and continue to research all resources to get your husband back. May god bless your family and good luck !

I am currently in the same situation. My husband and I decided to follow the law. Now, he has been barred from entering the US for 10 years. I am devestated. We have three children. Adriana 14, Gabriel 9 and Miguel 5, whom could not deal with the situation of being separated from his father and is now living with him. I am heart-broken, my family is incomplete. The government is trying to ease out of TANF and foodstamps, but this situation has forced me to rec’v public assistance. My children and I had to move with my parents due to my financial hardships. Why does the government not realize what they are doing to our children. My daughters Quince (15) was scheduled for April of 2010, this is now canceled. I pray everyday for my family and the families of everyone in this situation. We need to faith that there will be a change.

i am in the same situation my husband has been in mexico since 2008 its been 4 long years and as days go by it just gets harder and harder i love him to death and i wouldn’t change him for the world thats why this is much much harder! i have a lot of faith and pray for a change in this law for us and for all of the people that are going thur this! life is so hard without him! as days go by i just feel that i can”t handle it I am going crazy with out him! I miss him so much! Im begging presedent Obama to change this law!